When I was a young girl we had our share of people who were mentally ill in the neighborhood. There was “Troy” who got a hold of some bad PCP in “the Nam” so as a result he talks to some invisible person out loud. “Jeffery’, who was a chronic kleptomaniac. He would steal everything and anything that was not nailed down like Lenny on the TV show Good Times. Hell, he stole some lady’s wig one time then sold it back to her the following week. (True story, I swear).
But the most memorable person on my block with a Mental illness was Miss Mary. She had a nervous break down when I was 11 years old. Miss Mary never came outside with anything on but a silk slip and some hair rollers. The rumor was that her husband drove her insane, because of infidelity. All I know is one day she was this stylish, well-spoken diva of a woman, and the next day she was a broken vessel. She was a hot mess. She would brandish kitchen knives to run us off her lawn. She even threw a whiskey bottle at her daughter because she refused to water the artificial flowers in the front yard. Now to a 4th grader this stuff is kind of scary. I liked Miss Mary. She use to give us gum and peppermint from her purse on Sundays and I played “Barbies” with her daughter on several occasions. As I got older I realized that mental breakdowns could happen to anyone. Stress, depression, emotional trauma or anxiety can trigger it. Get help and reducing stress can prevent any outbursts of madness. What sad id Miss Mary could have gotten help. She was young too. Her family turned their backs on her because of the stigma in the Black culture. “Black people don’t need a therapist” were the words echoed time and time again in my ears as I questioned people like Miss Mary.
By seeking mental help; my family shunned it thinking it to be a sign of weakness or test of faith. I’m glad I am learning new things in my major Family Studies, so I can help family members and people like Miss Mary. Even though I don’t know where she is I know that God is watching over her. Be healthy yawl…. Smooches.
Desi, as always I love your posts and the genuine feeling you put in them. Unfortunately the story of your neighbor is one familiar with many homeless people. These people can't get the help they need because they have already been kicked out of the system and left to fend for themselves!
ReplyDeleteI agree that there remains a high level of stigmas associated with people who "act different" suffering from mental illness (many of them will go undiagnosed). However, I don't think these stigmas are limited to black individuals, but to everyone with this diagnosis due to lack of information, ignorance, and not wanting to get involved with something they don't understand.
Again, I thinnk the media can play a significant role in reducing the fears and stigmas attached to mental illness by providing correct information to alleviate any fears people may have. I know more people taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications than not these days. you don't have to be a raving lunatic anymore as is often depicted) to suffer from one of the many mental illnesses. Great post!
Michelle Dukes
Thanks Michelle. Your right Mental illness stigma may not be a black thing but all I know is awareness is the key to healing.
ReplyDeleteI understand exactly what you are saying. We think that people will look at us funny if we go to a therapist. Like you sais it is always said that black people dont need therapist. I think that this is the furthest thing from the truth. I have even started seeing the theraoist at the school. its not because i am crazy but because I dont wan to go crazy.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with therapy. I saw one for a year after I got a divorce. The experience was very liberating.
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